When you're evaluating RPC providers for a multi-chain project, a common question is: which provider supports the widest range of blockchains? The short answer is that several providers now claim support for 100+ networks, but the real answer depends on what 'support' means—shared endpoints, dedicated nodes, archive data, WebSocket, and reliability all vary by provider.
Quick Answer: Which RPC Provider Supports the Most Chains?
Based on publicly listed coverage, providers like NOWNodes (120+), Ankr (70+), Dwellir (140+), and OnFinality (100+ including testnets) offer the widest raw network counts. However, 'widest range' should not be your only selection criterion. A provider may list 100 chains but only offer full archive and WebSocket support on a subset. For development teams that need deep support across several chains—including testnets, L2s, and parachains—it's better to evaluate the intersection of coverage and feature depth.
Multi-Chain RPC Coverage: Decision Checklist
Use this checklist when comparing providers by blockchain range:
| Criterion | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Network list | Does the provider list the exact mainnets and testnets you need? | A provider that covers 200 chains but not your target network is useless. |
| Node types offered | Are shared, dedicated, and archive nodes available? | Production apps often need dedicated nodes for consistent performance. |
| WebSocket & WSS support | Is WSS available for all listed chains? | Many providers only offer HTTP for minor chains, limiting real-time use. |
| API method depth | Does the provider support trace, debug, or custom methods? | Indexers and MEV bots need these on each chain. |
| Testnet coverage | Are testnets included in the same plan? | Development and staging require testnets for the same chains. |
| Geographic routing | Are nodes distributed globally with low-latency endpoints? | Latency varies by region; multi-region is important for global apps. |
| Pricing model | Is billing per request, per node, or compute-unit based? | Predictable costs help scale multi-chain architectures. |
How We Evaluate 'Widest Range' — Depth vs Breadth
Raw network count is a marketing metric. A provider that supports 150 chains but offers only basic JSON-RPC on 100 of them (no debug, no archive, no WSS) provides less practical value than a provider that fully supports 50 chains with all standard APIs. For example, OnFinality focuses on depth: each supported chain typically offers full archive data, WebSocket, and dedicated node options. Similarly, Dwellir emphasizes transparent pricing across a broad set of chains without compute units. Ankr offers a large multi-chain infrastructure with rate limits that vary by plan.
What 'Support' Really Means
When a provider says they support a blockchain, verify:
- Endpoint types: Are there both HTTP and WSS endpoints?
- Archive data: Can you query historical data from genesis? (Some providers charge extra or limit archive availability.)
- Rate limits: Are throttles the same across all chains?
-
Method whitelisting: Can you use methods like
eth_getLogs,debug_traceTransaction, orsol_getAccountInfo?
Comparison Table of RPC Providers by Network Count
Below is a comparison of providers that advertise wide blockchain coverage. Note that network counts change frequently; always consult the provider's documentation for the latest list.
| Provider | Networks Supported (claimed) | Node Types | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dwellir | 140+ | Shared, dedicated, archive | No compute units, flat-rate pricing, multi-region |
| NOWNodes | 120+ | Shared, dedicated | Transparent per-request billing, 120+ chains |
| OnFinality | 100+ | Shared, dedicated, archive | Full WebSocket, deep Polkadot/Substrate support, flexible plans |
| Ankr | 70+ | Shared, dedicated, archive | Decentralized node infrastructure, 1500 RPS ceiling |
| Chainstack | 40+ | Shared, dedicated, archive | Enterprise SLAs, global routing, elastic scaling |
| Alchemy | 15+ | Shared, dedicated | Enhanced APIs (NFT, Transfers, etc.), strong developer tooling |
Note: 'Networks Supported' includes mainnets and testnets. Always verify the exact list of production-ready chains.
When Broad Coverage Is (and Isn't) the Right Metric
Broad coverage is ideal when:
- You are building a multi-chain dApp that must interact with many networks (e.g., a cross-chain bridge or aggregator).
- You are a QA team testing across multiple testnets concurrently.
- You are an indexer that needs to pull data from many chains, even if only basic endpoints are needed.
Broad coverage is less important when:
- Your app focuses on one or two chains with high throughput requirements (e.g., Solana or Ethereum).
- You need deep API access (trace, debug, custom RPC methods) that only a subset of providers offer.
- You require dedicated node isolation for consistent performance—this is more about node quality than network count.
How to Test a Provider's Chain Support
Use a simple script to verify RPC availability and latency. Below is a JavaScript example using node-fetch to ping a provider's endpoint for a specific chain:
const fetch = require('node-fetch');
async function checkEndpoint(url) {
const payload = {
jsonrpc: "2.0",
method: "eth_blockNumber",
params: [],
id: 1
};
try {
const response = await fetch(url, {
method: 'POST',
headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
body: JSON.stringify(payload)
});
const data = await response.json();
if (data.result) {
console.log(`Block number: ${parseInt(data.result, 16)}`);
return true;
}
} catch (error) {
console.error(`Endpoint failed: ${error}`);
}
return false;
}
// Example: test an OnFinality Ethereum endpoint
const endpoint = "https://eth.llamarpc.com"; // replace with provider's endpoint
checkEndpoint(endpoint);
For multi-chain verification, loop through endpoint URLs for each chain and measure response times.
How to Verify a Provider's Chain Support Before Committing
- Read the network list documentation. Look for detailed notes on which methods and WebSocket are supported per chain.
- Check for testnet endpoints. Many providers support mainnets but not testnets, which are critical for development.
- Use the provider's dashboard to see real-time endpoint availability and usage stats.
- Run a trial. Most providers offer free tiers (e.g., OnFinality's shared free plan) that let you test multiple chains.
- Review SLAs and support channels. For each chain, confirm that the provider has active monitoring and support.
Key Takeaways
- Raw network count is a starting point, not a decision metric. Evaluate depth (archive, WebSocket, debug methods) for the chains you actually use.
- Providers like OnFinality, Dwellir, and NOWNodes offer the widest coverage, but each excels in different areas—OnFinality for Substrate/Polkadot ecosystems, Dwellir for transparent pricing, NOWNodes for sheer breadth.
- Always test endpoints yourself using scripts or the provider's free tier before committing to a paid plan.
- For production, dedicated nodes or private endpoints often provide more consistent performance than shared APIs, especially across multiple chains.
- Check OnFinality's supported RPC networks and RPC pricing to see if the coverage fits your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which RPC provider has the most blockchains?
A: Dwellir claims 140+ networks, followed by NOWNodes (120+) and OnFinality (100+). However, verify the actual list includes your target chains.
Q: Does OnFinality support all the chains it lists with WebSocket?
A: Most chains on OnFinality offer WebSocket endpoints, but it's best to check the specific network page for details.
Q: Are there any providers that support every blockchain?
A: No single provider supports every blockchain. Providers focus on popular EVM chains, Solana, Cosmos, Polkadot, and other major ecosystems. Always cross-reference with your project's requirements.
Q: How do I find if a provider supports a specific testnet?
A: Most providers list testnets separately. For example, OnFinality supports Sepolia, Base Sepolia, and other recent testnets. Check the network documentation.
Q: Is it better to use multiple providers to increase chain coverage?
A: Many production teams use a primary provider for most chains and supplementary providers for niche networks. This approach balances cost and reliability.
Related resources
Originally published at OnFinality.
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